Item 4 - World Cup Extended Opening Hours
West Dunbartonshire Council · 12 May 2026
Back to Licensing Board — 12 May 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE LICENSING BOARD Report by the Clerk to the Licensing Board Licensing Board – 12 May 2026 Subject: Proposed Extension to On-Sales Premises Licensed Hours for the duration of the 2026 World Cup 1. Purpose 1.1 To allow the Licensing Board to consider a policy on extending licensed hours for On-Sales Premises for matches not involving the Scottish National Team, taking place as part of the 2026 World Cup. 2 Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Licensing Board considers the views of the Local Licensing Forum and decides on one of the following options, (i) Allow a general extension for all matches taking place during the tournament, (ii) A general extension within the terms of the Licensing Board’s current Policy on Licensed hours, or (iii) Make no determination on a general extension, however premises will be free to apply for extended hours in line with the licensing Boards current Statement of Licensing Policy. 2.2 It is recommended that the Members agree on the conditions relating to later opening and control measures specified in paragraphs 4.5 and 4.6 below. 3. Background 3.1 The 2026 World Cup will take place between the 12 June 2026 and 19 July 2026. This competition will take place in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico and as such, several of the matches will be televised at times either outside of normal licensed hours or the matches will end outwith normal licensed hours. 3.2 At the Licensing Board Meeting on 3 March 2026 the Licensing Board agreed to allow for a general extension of licensing hours for premises seeking to show games involving the Scottish National Team only. 3.3 At the March Meeting, the Licensing Board instructed Officers to seek the views of the Local Licensing Forum. Members of the Licensing forum were canvassed for their views on the options contained at paragraphs 2.1 (i) to (iii)
Page 2
above. 3.4 8 members of the licensing forum responded to this consultation, with 4 members voting in favour of option 2, as denoted at 2.1 (ii) above and 4 Members voted in support of option 3, as denoted at 2 (iii) above. No forum members voted in favour of a general extension for all matches, as denoted at 2.1 (i). 3.5 In order that Licensing Board Members may make an informed decision, a list of the games kick-off times which will be included within the individual options are listed at appendix 3. 3.6 As referred to at recommendations 2.1 (i) and 2.1 (ii), the Board’s current statement of licensing Policy refers to the sale of alcohol being difficult to justify earlier than 11 a.m. or after 3 a.m. other than in exceptional. circumstances. For information an excerpt from the relevant section of the Board’s Statement of Licensing Policy is appended to this report. 4. Main Issues 4.1 Section 67 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 allows a Licensing Board to make a determination extending licensed hours by such a period as the Board may specify in the determination. 4.2 Such a determination may apply to, (a) the whole of the Licensing Board's area or only to specified parts of the area, (b) licensed hours generally or only to specified descriptions of licensed hours, and (c) all licensed premises in the Board's area or only to specified descriptions of such premises. 4.3 in considering a determination under Section 67, the Licensing Board must consider whether the event is of local or national significance. 4.4 Guidance from the Scottish Government on this matter has been published and has been appended to this report. 4.5 Having further considered the terms of the Scottish Government Guidance and of Section 67 of the 2005 Act the Clerk to the Board is of the view that it would be an overreach to conclude that either Option 1 - a general extension for all matches, or Option 2 a general extension within the terms of the Board’s current policy on Licensed Hours could be justified on the basis of a National or International event where Scotland is not participating in the games. It is therefore his strong preference that, other than the extension agreed at the last Board, any extensions proceed in line with Option 3 (Recommendations 2.1(iii) above). 4.6 In order to alleviate any impact on the wider community relating to a decision to extend licensed hours, the following conditions are recommended: - • All Premises wishing to take advantage of extended hours must notify
Page 3
the Licensing Team in writing in advance of the specific matches they wish to remain open for. • For any games which have a start time of later than 1am, a curfew for entry of 1am should be in force. • For any games which have a kick-off time later than 1am, a booking system should be employed. Such a system can be either via an advance ticket or an advance electronic booking. • That access to the premises for Children and Young Persons ceases at the end of ‘normal licensed hours’. • There shall be no entertainment such as, but not limited to DJ sets, Live Music or Karaoke to be evident in premises outwith ‘normal’ licensed hours. • The term ‘normal licensed hours’ refers to the terminal hour for the sale of alcohol under the terms of the licence prior to any extension of hours as a result of this policy. • Premises are advised to carry out a risk assessment to determine if SIA Licensed Stewards will be necessary to uphold the Licensing Objectives at times when any extension of hours is in effect. • 4.7 The following advisory control measures are also recommended: - • Premises are reminded that outdoor areas and outdoor drinking may only take place in line with the terms of the existing licence and should not be operated after 10pm. • That Premises give notification to neighbours in advance of the event(s) all the hours they intend to operate. • That consideration be given to temporarily amend the commencement hour of on-sales licensed premises on days where the premises intends to operate extended hours. • That consideration be given to staff welfare and safety in relation to longer opening hours and later closing times. 5 Financial and Procurement Implications 5.1 There are no financial or procurement implications relating to this report. 6. Risk Analysis 6.1 There is no risk to the Board associated with the contents of this report. 7. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 7.1 There are no equality impacts through consideration of this report. (EIA Screening ref 1498). 8. Consultation
Page 4
8.1 The West Dunbartonshire Local Licensing Forum were consulted in relation to this report. 9. Strategic Assessment 9.1 There are no strategic implications associated with this report. Alan Douglas Clerk to the Licensing Board 22 April 2026. Person to Contact: Peter Clyde, Licensing Standards Officer, Regulatory and Regeneration Services, West Dunbartonshire Licensing Board, Council Offices, Church Street, Dumbarton G82 1QL. Email: Peter.Clyde@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendix: Appendix 1 – Section 27 Excerpt from West Dunbartonshire Licensing Board’s Statement of Licensing Policy. Appendix 2 – Scottish Government Guidance Appendix 3 – List of the Kick-Off Times of games relevant to the recommendations 2.1 (i) and (ii) Background Papers: N/A Wards Affected: All Wards